Isolated Influences of Surgery Repair on Maxillofacial Growth in Complete Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the maxillofacial morphologic characteristics of children with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) with and without surgical correction and better understand the relation between surgery and inhibition of maxillary growth.

Material And Methods: Lateral cephalometric radiography was performed in 3 groups of 9-year-old children: 1) 20 whose UCLP was repaired in infancy; 2) 20 who had no surgical repair or any relevant treatments; and 3) 20 without UCLP who served as controls.

Results: Marked morphologic deviations of patients in groups 1 and 2 compared with the control group were observed in the cranial base angle, maxillary heights, length and shape of the mandible, and anteroposterior jaw relation. Facial morphology was similar between groups 1 and 2 except for less vertical maxillary height and more obtuse gonial angle in group 1.

Conclusion: The facial morphology of children with UCLP differs markedly from that of normal children. The differences can be ascribed to the difference in the primary anomaly in the UCLP groups, but isolated surgery has minor effects on growth disturbances.